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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 3419 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

an opinion as to the validity or otherwise of the process. I would consider that the documents raise sufficient doubt about the process and its outcome for the matter to be referred to the Ombudsman and the Auditor-General for fuller investigation of the process." I understand that this matter has been referred by Ms Tucker to the Auditor-General, although I am not sure about the Ombudsman.

Mr Speaker, a number of these issues were raised with my office by representatives of the Deakin Residents Association. We looked into a number of those issues. My office at one stage felt very strongly, and I felt very strongly, that there had been some irregularity in relation to the proper transferring of the lease. However, further investigation by my office managed to locate a number of documents that were not present in the Registrar-General's office but for some reason were instead held by Planning and Land Management.

I think the most appropriate course of action here is to allow the Ombudsman and/or the Auditor-General to pursue this matter. Clearly there are concerns which should be properly investigated. The Labor Party is of the view that all leases should be properly managed, and all assignment and transferring of leases should be done in an appropriate fashion. If there is any doubt as to the process that is being conducted, the Auditor-General is an appropriate mechanism to have those issues reviewed. We will look closely at any report the Auditor-General provides on this issue. We will continue to take a watching brief on the issue to ensure that the administration of leases has occurred properly in accordance with the land act and in accordance with the relevant conditions of the leases concerned.

MR SPEAKER: Order! The discussion has concluded.

Workers Compensation Amendment Bill 2001

Detail stage

Debate resumed.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Business, Tourism and the Arts and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (8.18): Mr Speaker, I move amendment No 2 circulated in my name, which inserts new clause 3A [see schedule 2 at page 3475].

MR SPEAKER: Which colour code is that, Mr Smyth? The white one?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, perhaps I could explain. There have been negotiations over the break. There is a running sheet provided. I believe the majority of the amendments that will be moved have the support of the majority of members, which will make the evening run somewhat more smoothly. There are a number that will be decided here on the floor of the house. In the interest of brevity, in the case of amendments that I understand have majority support I will simply move them without speaking to them.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Smyth. Nevertheless, I need to know the colour code because there are a number of them.

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